Author: Rhys Gregory

A new bara brith ice cream has been launched with a tasty twist on Wales’s much-loved traditional tea time favourite. It’s been created through a collaboration between three well-known Welsh brands, historic ice cream maker Sidoli’s from Ebbw Vale, Denbigh-based Henllan Bread and food distribution firm Harlech Foodservice which has its headquarters near Cricieth. Made using Henllan’s famous bara brith, the ice cream is part of Sidoli’s new Proudly Welsh range and aims to tap into growing demand for locally-produced food with a strong Welsh identity The range also includes a coffee ice cream made with ingredients from Bridgend-based Ferrari’s…

Children from in Wales could see their designs for a new rugby kit showcased on the world stage – thanks to a partnership between Specsavers and Wales Deaf Rugby. Specsavers stores across Wales are teaming up with Wales Deaf Rugby to launch a colouring competition inviting children to design the shirts that the men’s and women’s teams will wear as they play to retain their world title at this year’s World Deaf Rugby 7s World Championship in Tokyo. Running until Saturday 1 August, the competition will see two winners selected – one for designing the men’s kit and one for…

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has announced the three finalists for the 2026 Sir Bryner Jones Award, one of the Society’s premier awards presented annually at the Royal Welsh Show. First presented in 1957, the award recognises an individual from a different area of the farming industry each year who has reached the highest level of achievement in their field. It is regarded as a once-in-a-lifetime honour, with nominations submitted by county advisory committees across Wales. This year marks a first for the award, with agricultural shows selected as the theme. The 2026 award recognises an individual who has made…

The ‘Flat Holm: A Walk Through Time’ project has won two awards at the 2026 Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards, recognising its work to restore and protect one of Wales’ most historically significant islands. The project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside investment from Cardiff Council, which owns the island, was delivered by Cardiff Harbour Authority, Knox & Wells, WSP and CMS Group. It secured both the Building Project of the Year (under £5m) award and the Regeneration & Conservation Award. The multi million pound project also received in kind support from partner organisations including the Flat Holm…

Trading Standards officers, accompanied by partners from the Gwent Police Modern Slavery and Exploitation Team, Immigration Enforcement, Environmental Health, and the Regional Trading Standards Tobacco Enforcement Team, carried out enforcement visits in the Risca area last week as part of Operation CeCe. Two premises were visited as part of the targeted operation, which aims to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco and vaping products and protect local communities from criminal activity. During the operation, illegal tobacco products with an estimated street value of more than £40,000 were seized. One individual was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to…

Monmouthshire County Council has committed to bringing forward a scheme to complete a vital section of road connecting Magor with the wider area. The commitment follows a motion brought to council calling for urgent steps to complete the final section of the estate road linking the Rockfield Farm development with Vinegar Hill. Speaking in response to the motion, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Ben Callard, said: “We know how important it is for people to feel connected, not just by roads, but as part of a community. Completing this final section will make a real, practical difference…

A number of businesses across Mid Wales have secured investment through the Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund (MWCPIF), supporting projects that will help strengthen the region’s commercial infrastructure, unlock growth and create new employment opportunities. Launched in May 2025 and delivered through the Mid Wales Growth Deal, the Fund is designed to leverage private sector investment in commercial premises, using targeted support to enable established businesses across Powys and Ceredigion to develop, extend, refurbish or repurpose sites and unlock new opportunities for business investment and expansion. Strong interest was shown in the fund, with a number of viable applications…

Welsh cattle keepers will benefit from healthier, more productive herds as the next phase of the industry-led Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme comes into force on 1 July 2026. New legislation, shaped by the BVD Cymru Steering Group, makes Wales the latest nation to commit to eliminating BVD — joining Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and much of Europe. Eradicating the disease will cut costs for farm businesses, improve cattle health and welfare and reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint. What changes from 1 July 2026: Cattle keepers whose herds do not hold BVD Negative status must pre-movement test…

An expert and clinically-led group is being set up to produce a delivery plan for up to ten elective care hubs across Wales. It fulfils a key action of the new Welsh Government’s First 100 day plan. The hubs are at the heart of tackling the waiting list backlog inherited from the previous administration – ensuring quicker access to treatment and improved outcomes for patients. They will be implemented and operationalised over the course of this Senedd term. They will increase capacity for planned surgery and diagnostics, reduce cancellations and help cut long waiting times by separating planned care from emergency pressures. The development of the hubs will be outlined in recommendations…

Wales took its case directly to UK and devolved ministers at the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee of this new Government, held in Belfast last week. Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and Constitution, Dafydd Trystan Davies, emphasised the Welsh Government’s commitment to cooperation with the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland, whilst pressing the case for a new Wales Bill to give Wales powers on a par with Scotland, and calling for fair funding for Wales. Both commitments were central to the new Government’s election manifesto and 100-day plan. The Minister welcomed the UK Government’s public recognition that rail…